Genetics Symposium: A Spectrum of Perspectives: Native Peoples and Genetic Research was hosted "to demonstrate the range of perspectives in Native communities on genomics, highlight key topics for ongoing community conversation, and create a video recording of the conversations that can be shared with Native communities as they host similar conversations across Indian Country."

CRCAIH Pilot Grant FAQs

General Questions

Who is the lead contact on the pilot grants for CRCAIH?

You can submit any questions or concerns you have to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate individual.

Do I need a letter of support from a tribal partner if my project is located in Sioux Falls with an urban Indian community?

No. However, you will need a letter of support from your community partner.

Does the research need to be on the reservation?

No, the research can be conducted off the reservation with American Indian populations in urban communities anywhere in ND, SD, and MN.

I didn’t get funded when I applied last year, can I resubmit my proposal?

Yes, we encourage you to the use the feedback from the reviewers and assistance from the CRCAIH Cores and Divisions to strengthen your proposal and resubmit.

Do you have a list of types of research projects that have been conducted in the past with American Indian communities in the region?

Not at this time. However, we are happy to visit with you about specific topic areas you are interested in.

Can I submit a grant application that lists more than one aim but requests funding to just cover my first specific aim?

No. Your application’s research strategy and budget should cover all the aims proposed.

Can I conduct a needs assessment, asking the community what they want to see in intervention/research, as my research question?

Technically yes, however, we encourage our applicants to get community input early for a more in-depth research question to be addressed in your pilot grant.

Can proposals include qualitative data collection?

Yes, applications can include a focus on qualitative data, quantitative data, or both. The review criteria do not specify a preference in research design.

Application Questions

Do I need to fill out the Resource Sharing Plan/Data Management Plan if I’ve provided this information in the grant narrative under the approach section?

Yes, this plan will address how you plan on collecting the data, sharing the data, and returning the data if that is part of the agreement.

Are there formatting requirements for references?

The type of formatting for references (e.g., AMA, APA) is not specified. We encourage you to use a format that you are comfortable with and stay consistent.

Where should I put information on hazards, measures, etc.?

You can address these issues anywhere in the narrative. Ultimately, you want to make sure it is clear to the reviewers. If the hazards are associated with enrolling participants, it should be detailed in the Protection of Human Subjects Section.

Will you provide feedback on drafts of the grant narrative?

Yes, we are happy to provide feedback as time allows. Please contact us early well before the deadline. Feedback will be broad with respect to focus and aims for the pilot grants program.

Should I include biographical sketches for consultant/contractual partners?

Yes, if the individuals are listed as senior/key personnel and significant contributors.

Can the CRCAIH cores be collaborators on my pilot grant study? If so, where do I include them the grant application?

The CRCAIH cores are core service that can provide capacity building assistance throughout your study. They do not need to be included in the budget/budget justification. If you plan to work directly with a specific core throughout your study please add this to the narrative in the ‘Approach’ section and under the ‘Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources’ section when you describe how the environment in which the research will be conducted contributes to the probability of success.

Can the project be done with a tribe outside of the tri-state region (SD, ND, MN)?

No, tribal partners need to be located in South Dakota, North Dakota, and/or Minnesota.

Can I work with a non-profit social service agency as my partner for the project?

Yes, your partner can be a non-profit social service agency, but the study must be relevant to the scope of the CRCAIH and must include a clear and direct connection to American Indian Health in South Dakota, North Dakota and/or Minnesota.

Principal Investigators

Can I submit a grant application with multiple Principal Investigators (PIs)? Where does this information go in the application?

Yes, you can submit an application with two PIs. The primary PI will be the lead and the grant should be submitted by the Primary PI’s institution. You will also need to complete the Multiple PI Leadership Plan in Section 8 of the application. This situation can occur where the PIs will each have a role in the overall research plan and each is in charge of a certain portion of the project. These details will also go in the research strategy and budget justification.

Is a Research Assistant considered a Co-Investigator (Co-I)?

The role of a collaborator or Co-Investigator (Co-I) is to provide expertise and guidance and possibly services on the project, but would probably have less input than a PI in the overall project execution. The designations of specific titles differ by institution. At our institution, Research Assistants/Research Associates are usually not considered as Co-I or key personnel unless they offer a special skill or technique needed for the project to be completed.

If a Principal Investigator is submitting an application a Collaborator or Co-Investigator, a Multiple Leadership Plan is not necessary.

Do I need to include a portion of the Principal Investigator’s time or can they just be a contact person?

The PI needs to have dedicated effort on the project, regardless of whether or not you are requesting salary support.

Can I be a Principal Investigator (PI) on two different CRCAIH grant applications?

You can only be a PI on one application but can hold the title of Co-Investigator on other projects.

Can I apply for the grant if I am a first time Principal Investigator (PI)?

Yes. One of the goals of our pilot grant opportunity is to build the capacity of junior investigators.

Funding/Budgets

Do I have to register with eRA Commons before submitting a grant application?

This information will be requested if your application is accepted to move forward for NIH review. However, we highly encourage you to work with your institution during the application process, as this process can take up to two weeks and can delay issuance of an award.

What is your funding level? Is it your preference to fund a lot of small budget grants?

We would like to fund projects with budgets of $25,000 to $80,000 (direct costs) and should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. The maximum budgeted project period is one year. Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs – indirect costs – are allowed at the applicant institution’s approved negotiated rate. The CRCAIH Pilot Grants Program will invest approximately $240,000 (direct costs) toward American Indian health research during this funding cycle. Approximately 3-5 pilot grants will be awarded each year, depending on the quality of application and funding amounts requested. The external review process will prioritize top applications and decisions will be made based on merit.

Indirect Costs/Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs

At Sanford, incentives are considered “other” expenses and indirect costs are calculated for other expenses. Applicants must follow their institution’s policy and procedures.

Can I add the accounting department or accounting office in my budget?

No, there are considered institutional overhead and paid for as part of the indirect costs.

Do the tribal subcontract indirect costs count as part of the total grant direct costs?

Yes. The subcontract and/or subcontract indirect costs count as part of the application’s total direct costs ($25,000 to $80,000).

Should indirect costs be included in the requested budget?

Yes, indirect costs should be included in the requested budget and on the cover sheet of the application. Indirect costs for the applicant institution are not included in the budget limits of $25,000 - $80,000. Indirect costs are allowed at the applicant institution’s approved negotiated F&A rate.

What if the research site I am working with does not have an F&A cost rate?

Please contact the grants office directly with more information on your organization. Any non-federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate can request a 10% Indirect Cost rate (source: Federal Register Volume, 78, Number 248, section 200.414).

A research framework from the Notah Begay III Foundation's Native Strong: Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures program. This overview shows how the social determinants of health approach fits with an Indigenous perspective. Demonstrates how the framework is being used to applied to type 2 diabetes and obesity prevention.